Building unit and ash tray



July 7,-1942` J. J. MAURO v BUILDING UNIT AND AsH TRAY Filed June 1', 1939 4 sneek-sheet 1 Ff@ l.

lJuly 7, 1942. J. J. MAURO BUILDING UNIT AND Asa TRAY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 1. 1959 INVENTOR. UOHNJ M A URO. BY

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 f U Vw// f LM, f 8 l- 9m 'July 7, 1942. K f J. J. MAURO BUILDING UNIT AND AsH TRAY Filed June 1. 1939 INVENToR. JOHN cf MA UR o.

July 7,1942. J, J, MAURO 2,288,637

'BUILDING UNIT AND ASH TRAY l Filed June 1. Y19:59 4 sheets-,sheet 4 ///J v y 7 'I 5 l ze .7'

37 FIG. Z0.

INVENToR. UDHN J. MAURO Patented July l7', 1942 .UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE nUlLDmG UNIT AND Asn TRAY v John J. Mam, washington, n. c.

Application June l, 1939, Serial No. 276,932

s claims. (Cl. 22o- 18) My invention relates broadly to ash trays and more particularly to a construction of ash tray compactly associated with a wall structure recessed to receive a unit which is in turn arranged to receive' an insertable and removable support for cigars, cigarettes or pipes and associated tray for receiving the ashes therefrom. One of the objects oi' my invention is to lpro- Iorm of a building unit which maybemounted within a recessed wall structure and which is arranged to receive a device constituting a support lvide a smokers accessory constructed in 'the for cigars, cigarettes or pipes .coextensive with a tray adapted to collect ashes therefrom, the device being readily removable and replaceable subtherefrom and restored to position for use as a compact smokers accessory.

Another object ai my invention is to provide an arrangement of built-in ash tray for a wall structure inwhich the ash tray is integral with a cigarette, cigar or pipe rest and is adapted to establish detachable interlocking arrangement with mechanical latching means associated with the wall structure whereby the ash tray may be" maintained in position while in use substantially within the connes of the wall structure.

A further object oi' my invention is to provide a construction of built-in ash tray for wall structures wherein the ash tray is formed from magnetic material and in which magnetic means is associated with the wall structure in a position for magnetically maintaining the tray in position within the connes of the wall structure while permitting ready'removal and replacement posite support for cigars, cigarettes or pipes aswith an associated cigarette, cigar or pipe rest with means for removably securing the tray in position whereby the tray may be readily removed and accumulation discharged therefrom and the tray replaced in secured position.

A further object of my invention is to provide a building unit which may be formed of various materials such as metal, earthenware or vitreous material adapted to be mounted in a recessed wall structure of comparable materials to form an enclosure open in the plane of the wall structure for receiving a detachable and replaceable cigarette, cigar or pipe support and associated 'tray adapted to be secured in the basel of the building unit and substantially within the conilnes of the wall structure.

A still further object of my invention' is to provide an arrangement of securing means for detachably mounting an ash tray havingV an asthereof.

Figure 1 is a plan view oi the ash tray showing the support for the ash tray in horizontal section installed as a building unit in a wall structure; Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view on line 2-2 of Fig. 5 showing one form of the securing means for the ashtray of my invention; Fig. 3 is a iront elevational view of the ash tray andwbuilding unit mounting means therefor con-- structed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view looking toward the rear of the support for the ash tray of' my invention; Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 5`5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the ash tray mounted in the recess of a wall sociated cigarette. cigar or pipe rest in the base in -accordance with my invention; Fig. 'I illustrates in horizontal sectional view a further modified form of securing means for the ash tray of my invention taken substantially on line 1-1 of Fig. 8; Fig.- 8 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on line 8 8 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view .of a further modified form of ash tray and securing means therefor constructed in accordance with lmy invention; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on line Iii-I0 of Fig. 9.

My invention is directedto a construction of ash tray which may be compactly mounted within the contines oi' a wall structure for utilizing space which is normally wasted and at the same time removing the ,ash tray to a position where there is minimum danger of the tray being inadvertently tipped over. The construction of ash tray in accordance with my invention substantially eliminates re hazards resulting from the deposit of lighted cigars, cigarettes or pipes in isolation to objects which might tend to be` ignited from lighted cigarettes, cigars or pipes or live ashes therefrom. I provide a frame structure which is substantially box-like in contour open at one side and adapted to be set into a niche, cubbyhole, a cubicle, an aperture or a recess in a wall structure. Such frame structure may bel constructed from a Vvariety of materials such as ceramic, vitreous, glazed tile, porcelain, or chinaware material, or nickel, Monel metal, aluminum, stainless steel or other metallic ma-l terials in conformity with the surface of the associated wall structure. The frame structure is adapted to be inserted as a building unit into the wall structure with the open side thereof extending substantially in theplane of the wall structure. The base of the frame-like structure may be provided with various forms of mechanical latching means adapted to coact withthe replaceable tray and associated cigarette, cigar or pipe rest whereby the tray may be maintained in position and readily removed for discharge of the contents therefrom. The combined receptacle and ash tray of my invention has numerous applications and may be used in countless numbers of places, such as in bathrooms, private and public toilets, dressing rooms, smokers cars or compartments, restaurants, and in convenient positions in the walls of rooms generally.

Referring to the drawings in detail, Figure 1 illustrates one application of the ash tray of my invention as a built-in unit in a toilet room in which the structure of the ash tray and frame support therefor substantially conforms to the tile walls of the toilet room. The frame member 4 is adaptedy to be mounted in recess I in wall structure 2 having the wall surface covered by tiling 3. The frame member or box-like structure 4 having one side thereof open, extends into the wall structure 2 and terminates substantially in the plane of the wall structure. The frame member 4 is constructed of reproof material and substantially conforms with the material of the wall structure 2, that is, the frame member 4 may be ceramic, vitreous, glazed tile, porcelain, chinaware, nickel, Monel metal, aluminum, stainless steel, etc. The metallic ash tray 5 is removably mounted in the base of the frame member 4 and has finger-grip 1 and cigar, cigarette or pipe rest 8 integrally connected therewith, and extending slightly beyond the limits of the surface of the wall structure 2.

'I'he frame member 4 is set within the recess in the wall structure and extends substantially through the space between the studs in the wall structure to the rear of the opposite wall surface on the other side 0f the partition. I have indicated the frame member 4 as extending to the rear of the opposite wall surface at I0 where it is secured in vposition by mortar or plaster indicated at II. The mounting of the frame member 4 is thus simplied as frame member 4 constitutes a .building unit insertable through the open side of the wall and against the rear surface `of the opposite wall on the opposite side of the partition. The sides of the frame member. 4 may be secured in position by plaster or mortar I2 adjacent the tiling 3.

Figs. 1-6, inclusive, show one embodiment of my invention in a form which is very practical for manufacture and installation.

The frame .member'4 has a projecting lip or bis lug on the interior thereof adjacent the base in the forms of my construction illustratedv in Figs.

r2, 5, 7 and 9. The projecting lip or lug 'I4 enters a rear recess I5 in the ash tray 5 when the ash tray is moved into position within frame member 4 in order to assist 4in the securing oi' the ash tray in position. In order to further `assist in maintainingthe ash tray 5 in place, I

provide recesses lI6 and IJ vin the opposite sides ofthe ash tray 5. The rearwardly extending sides of ash tray-5 are tapered at I8 and yI9 from the position of recesses I6 and I1. SpringV actuated detents 20 and `2l arel provided vin'oppo site side Vwalls of frame member 4 for engaging in the recesses I6 and I1 in the ash tray 5. The spring actuated detents 20 and 2l are housed in the opposite sidesV of frame member 4 in housings 22 which extend through the sides of frame' member 4 as shown more particularly in Figs. 2 and 4. The back plate enclosing the housing 22 has extended ears 23 set iiush with exterior side planes of frame member 4 and secures said housing 22 to said frame member 4 by means of screws 24 extending through back plate extended ears and passing into threaded bores 25 in frame member 4.

It will thus be seen that the ash tray 5 may be moved transversely into the box-like frame l member 4 adjacent the base thereof until the tapered sides I8 and I9 engage spring actuated detents 20 and 2l. By thrusting the ash tray 5 further into the frame member 4, the detents are yieldably pressed against their coacting springs until recesses I6 and I1 register with detents 20 and 2|, whereupon detents`20 and 2I spring into recesses I6 and I1, thus locking ash tray 5 in position. At this time recess I5 has become engaged with projecting lug or lip I4 so that the ash tray is secured in position and ready to receive lighted cigarettes, cigars or pipes and to collect the ashes therefrom. The ash tray is 'of my invention in which the recesses in the opposite sides of the ash tray 5 are shaped as indicated at 29 and 30 in Fig. 7. The opposite side walls of frame member 4 are provided with casements 38, somewhat analogous to housings 22 in the form of my invention shown in Figs. l and 4. Reciprocative within each easement 38 I provide spring actuated thrust members 3l and 32. 'Ihrust member 3I carries a pair of rollers 33. Thrust member 32 carries a pair of rollers 34. Rollers 33 are mounted on pivots 35 on thrust' member 3i while'` rollers 34 are mounted on pivots 36 on thrust member 32. 'Ihe two rollers on each thrust member engage the tapered sides I8 and I9 of the ash tray 5 as it is moved into position, allowing the thrust members to be yieldably spread and then latched into the recesses 29 and 30 for securing the ash tray'iin position. When the ashtray 5 is withdrawn the rollers are retracted releasing the rollers from the recesses 29 vand 30 and enabling the ashtray 5 to be removed for discharge of the ash content form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 4.

as those `already described in connection with the f posite said recess for removing and restoring said Y In Figs. 9-10 I have shown a further modified form of my invention in which theash tray l is provided with shaped recesses 31 in opposite sides thereof, The frame member 4 has casevments M secured 'in positions adjacent the base but at opposite sides thereof, the 'easements 44 beingmaintained in position by screws Casementsl M provide housings for spring vmembers 40, each of which include a coil springll'rnount-` ed on a confining pin 42 in easements 44. The springmembers have angularly shiftable arms which constantly-tendto enter easements M and the` recess" -in the side of ash tray 5. In positioning'ash tray I withinthe frame member, the ash tray l is moved transversely into frame memsecuring -the ash trayflin position. `When it said projection and a fingerengaging portion opash tray tov the base of said frame member through the lopen side thereof, recesses located in substantially the center vof the opposite sides of said ash tray. grooves tapering fromsaid're-` cesses to the rear of said ash tray. andl spring `actuated bullet headed latching means located in said frame member and detachably engageable with the tapered grooves and recesses in said ash tray, said latching means'being cooperative Y with said projection and said recess and with said grooves and said recesses therein forv maintaining said ash tray in position adjacent the is desiredto withdraw ashtray 5, the force ex-` erted upon n'erlgrip 'I is sumcient to yieldably move the projecting arm or leaf'of spring meni` ber 40 toward easement 44, thus releasing the ash tray and` allowing the ash tray to be withdrawn for discharge of the contentsthereof.

Although the-various illustrations show :my invention in a. wood `frame and mortar or plaster partition, it is to' be understood that it can also be installedr recessed in solid masonry walls or partitions, in structural steel and steel plate partitions, inv glass, brick walls or partitions, in."

prefabricated material partitions, etc.'

While I haveshown my invention in certain of 'y its preferred embodiments, I realize vthat modifications may 1be. made in the shape, form and con? struction of the ash trayof my invention. Ac-

cordingly `I desire that it -be understood that vmodifications may be made in my invention and I intend no limitationsthereon other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

Whatvl claim as newanddesire to secureby Letters' Patent ofthe UnitedStates is asfollows:

l. An ashtray comprising in combination with a recessed wall structure., a box-like frame mem-l ber open-'oni'one side thereof and extending into said wallstructurev with the open side ,substantially kin alignment withl the'recessedl wall structure, a projection extending inwardly lfrom the rear walljofrsaid frame member, an ash tray transversely slidable along-.the bottom ofl saidl base of saidframe lmember when said ash tray is entirely within said frame member.

2. An ash tray 'comprising in combination. with a recessed wall-structure, a box-like frame 'member openon` one side thereof and extending into said wail structure withthe open side substantially in alignment with the recessed wall structure, a projection-"extending inwardly from the a rearwall of said framel member, anash tray transversely' slidable4 along the bottom of said frame member and v'having a recess for .engaging base of Asaid frame member when said ash tray is substantially within said frame member.

V3. An ash tray comprising in combination with a recessed wall structure, a box-like frame member open on one side thereof and extending into 1 said ,wall structure with theopen s'ide'substantially in alignment with the recessed wall struc-v ture.' a projection extending inwardly from the rear wall of said frame member, an ash tray opposite said recess for removing and restoring said ash tray tothe base vof said frame member through the open side thereof, said ash trayl having grooves in the opposite sides thereof tapered from substantially the middle of said ash 'tray to the rear thereof with recesses at substantially the beginning of said grooves inthe opposite sides of said ash tray, and leaf spring members mounted in said frame member and engageable inthe grooved and recessed sides of said tray.

4. Anv ash tray comprising in combination with a recessed wall structure, a box-like frame member open on one side thereof and extending into said `wa11 structure with the open side substantially in alignment with the recessed wall structure, a projection extending inwardly from the rear wall of said frame member, anash tray transversely slidable along the bottom of said frame member and havingv a recess for engagingsaidv projection and a iinger portion opposite said recess for removing and restoring said ash tray to the base of said frame member through the open side thereof, said ash tray being tapered from substantially the center thereof toward the rear and being recessed in oppotaining said ash tray in position adjacent the l site sides thereof, at substantially the middle por' tion of the sides of the ash tray, and spring actuated thrust members located in opposite sides of said frame member, each of said thrust members carrying a roller device adapted to roll upon the tapered sides of said ash tray andl enter the recesses in the sides of said tray when said tray is fully inserted within said box-like frame member.. v

5. An ash tray comprising in combination with a recessed wall structure, a box-like frame member open on one side thereof and extending into said wall structure with the open side substantially in alignment with the recessed wall struc-v ture, an ash tray transversely slidable along the bottom of said frame member with a finger engaging member projecting beyond the limits of said wall structure for removing and restoring said ash tray to the base of said frame member through the open side thereof, said frame member having a projecting lug positioned slightly above the bottom of said box-like frame member able by said lug for preventing said ash tray' from tipping when pressure is appli/ed downwardly to the front portion of said tray.

- 6. `An ash tray comprising in com tion with f I a recessed wall structure, a box-like frame mem'- ber open on one side thereof and extending into A said wa11 structuredwith theopen side substantiallyin alignment with the recessed wall. struc- 10 v tary .rear recess yengageable by said projection ture,V an ash tray insertable -into and vremovable7 from a positionatthebottom -of'said frame member, said ashtray having grooves rearwardly' 7 tapered in depth :m opposite smesthereo: and

wardly fromopposite walls of said frame member and frictionally slidable in said grooves for guiding said ash tray during insertion and removal and ensageable-in said recesses at the heads of said grooves for rigidly retaining said ash tray in inserted position, said frame member including a substantially horizontal projection yextending from the rear wall thereof and disposed slightly above the bottom of theframe member and said ash tray having a complemenwhen said ash tray is in inserted position with aportion thereof extending lbeneath saidprojection for maintaining said `ash tray in level vat the heads of the respective grooves, 16 position withinksaid frame member.

spring actuated detentV means projecting out- JOHN J. MAURO. 

